OCR Text |
Show -annnfc-eaBnnnBnPnra A PLEA FOR THE SABBATH And the rrtjcrral Ion of the Morality orOorTontU. Salt Lakk City, atayoth, 1S30. Eddor Detent Sticr. Morals and religion Are m closrly allied that I shall not undertake to drawa line of demarcation between them. It is fair to concede, bow-ever, bow-ever, that individuals may be found in Christian communities, professors profes-sors of religion, who are JesUtuto of moral training, and it Is a fact that there are moral people who are with-out with-out religious bias or sentiment. This is Uie state of society among Chris tian denominations in countries where Uie so-called followers of the lowly Jesus are to be found. Turn from Uie frailties In other people and let our minds rest upon this favored community "a city sought out." Here we behold Uie bloom of prosperity Uirougbout the lengUi and breadth of the land which Uie Iord God has civen unto us. Here In these mountains ofDeserct Is my home; this Is my people. I have great anxiety In relation to Uie religious and moral education of our sous and daughters. "evcr, in Uie history of Uils people, have graver responsibilities rested upon the parents anJ Priesthood in Zion than we behold this day. Every enticement the adversary can use to destroy, Is brought to Uie front and weilded by Unscrupulous men for Uie destruction of our children. The professions of Uie Latter-day Saints are very sw eeping in their naturc, reaching far beyond Uie pretensions pre-tensions ever made by any other sect or religious denomination, since Uie ancient AposUes fell asleep. All there is of beauty, grace, loveliness, holiness religion, morality, charity, purity of character; all that brings together, organizes, builds up, Improves Im-proves beautifies, enables, acknowl edges God, inculcates broUierly love, makes better fathers and mothers, and more duUful children; all that brings us near to Uie pcifecUon of the Fountain of Light, the Latter-day Latter-day Saints claim as their own, and rightly, too, for they have covenanted covenant-ed with God by sacrifice. I am n living witness that He has accepted this ottering at Uieir bands, and He has fulfilled His promises to this people in every particular. God brought us unto these valleys to serve Him with undivided hearts. Not one soul who enjoys Uio presence pres-ence of Uie Holy Spirit will doubt this statement, neither can he or she doubt the commandment of Uie Great Law-glvcr "Remember Uie Sabbath day to keep It holy." Sabbath breaking is practiced to an alarming extent In this community, com-munity, and it is not confined toany particular class or denomination, but is quite general throughout this city. One careless or weak minded counselor can set a whole neighborhood neighbor-hood atiarae, and counteract Uie faithful labors of many right minded parents. This is wrong and should not exist, among- a jwople so well organized as the Latter-day Saints are. Fathers, mothers, teachers and guardians to) ou Is committed the honor of being saviors unto this and succeeding generations; if you now sow the wind, ye shall reap the whirlwind an infinite law of just corn Dentation. Sometimes wo seeand hearstrange things, which occur not far from our own firesides. Perhaps the following fol-lowing conversation may be appro-po appro-po to the situation: "31a, may I go to the Park, or Farm, or to Uie Lake, with Mr. ; Sal and et, 1'eg and Nell are going? go-ing? I think you might let me go thisUme. Their parents are willing for theru to visit these places of amusement on Sunday. Please, ma, let me go.'' All this and much more. Unfortunately the father Is absent and he cannot be consulted by the half-distracted mother. Gonelothe "pen," or left for parts unknown; or succumbed to the "law," and pos-ed through the jiurlfying flame of the Judicial furnace, and now, lMng alone, comforts his declining years by cultivating a patriotic love for the jnrent government which has made him a living monument of its stainless character. I am personally acquainted with Uie heads of families who labor, to promote in Uie minds of their children, child-ren, a proper reverence for the Sabbath, but are handicapicd by Uie injudicious acts of Uieir otherwise other-wise pleasant neighbors. In the name of that Being whom we claim to serve, I fail upon Uie Latter-day Saints to arise in the power of union and ut down this hydra-headed hydra-headed monster which leads our innocent youth into the broad road of destrucUon. Hesckcjam. |